Chapter 417
Buffy's group wondered if Barshon had ever been sincere in helping them. They knew that he had betrayed Silas for personal gain. If he was to sell any peace agreement to his people someone had to pay for this. If not the rebels who'd killed Silas, then these foreigners, who even the rebels didn't completely trust. They planned to escape, or die trying. Then the guards brought them their final meal. Spike asked outloud if maybe these meals were poisoned. The guards left. The group figured if it was poison, the guards wouldn't unlock the cage until they were dead, either from poison or starvation. Maybe they could fake being dead and they would open the cages. It was desperate, but better than nothing. Then Buffy saw something in her meal. It was a piece of the Chalice of life. The others found pieces of paper. One had the spell they used to come to Pylea. Another was a note.
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"Use this to return to your world. Barshon will never admit that you've escaped. Use the Chalice to save our worlds. Sincerely, a friend."
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Was this from Barshon, again covertly helping them? Or perhaps the Groosalag, rewarding their help to the revolution? Either way, it was time to leave Pylea.